Troy on TiVo

Best way to schedule your TiVo online

2009-06-02T11:02:00.002-05:00

I've tried many ways to schedule my TiVo remotely, none of them are perfect.

1) Yahoo TV - I used to use this a few years ago all the time, then suddenly the connection to my TiVo was often broken and I haven't gone back to it.

2) Tivo.com TV Listings Guide (http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-tco/tvlistings.do) - old way that is painful to find your way to the show you want.

3) m.TiVo.com - this is the mobile phone version of the scheduler, but I use it in my web browser. Works great as you can setup your standard prefs and use 1-click record.

4) NEW BETA - this one has potential. I just used it to schedule the new Conan show and a Twins game to different TiVo machines. I got word about this from Twitter a few weeks ago...
@TiVoDesign (Margret Schmidt) wrote: Have a TiVo HD? Try a Beta feature on tivo.com. See your Now Playing List & To Do List! http://bit.ly/C5aYD Feedback please!

Anyone have a favorite way to schedule a show when not in front of their home TiVo?

TiVo logo basketball

2009-03-30T14:13:00.001-05:00

TiVo logo basketball
Originally uploaded by webdh

The basketball I "won" in TiVo's march madness contest on Facebook just arrived today. I was lucky enough to be one of first 100 people to post a comment in their contest thread. It was deflated in the package and delivered by FedEx. I went straight out to the garage and pumped it up. Thanks TiVo!

Prayer To Tivo God

2009-01-07T10:29:00.000-06:00

This video clip is from the show How I Met Your Mother.

TiVo Saves the Day

2008-12-22T23:00:00.002-06:00

I watched the movie Tropic Thunder over the weekend and was laughing how they brought up TiVo a few times. Then at the end of the movie, TiVo becomes the hero and saves the day. In the Ben Stiller movie he plays Tugg Speedman, and Matthew McConaughey shows up in the jungle with a TiVo machine that he promised his actor client Tugg he'd have while on location shooting his movie. He shows up and has to toss it up in the air in front of a rocket that's about to blow up the helicopter Tugg and the other actors are riding in.

After I saw this scene, I rewound and I pointed my digital camera at my flat panel TV to record the 1 minute video clip of this heroic moment for our friend the TiVo box. I hope I'm not violating any Dreamworks' copyright, but figured this is only going to help entice more people to see this funny movie. Go TiVo!

Are we jerks for raving about TiVo?

2008-12-12T13:26:00.002-06:00

According this MSNBC tech article, yes we are. The author thinks since it really is just for TV, it's not that important. He goes on to write,

"it's not self-improving and it's not going to cure cancer"

I beg to differ. The benefits of TiVo are countless. Don't most people chat up with friends the valuable products and services they believe in? Why would we be jerks for talking about a great product like TiVo? This author has it wrong and you might be surprised to see the other seven products in the list. A few others don't belong either, but especially TiVo.

Netflix streaming coming soon to TiVo

2008-10-29T23:52:00.003-05:00

Just caught this news on Hacking Netflix blog. I'm thrilled as I was starting to get the itch to buy a Roku player. Only downside is it won't be available to TiVo Series 2 owners. Excerpt from the HN blog:

Netflix and TiVo will start testing the service with a few thousand customers, and most customers will have access to Netflix streaming by the holidays. Netflix streaming movies will be provided to TiVo subscribers at no cost (Netflix subscription required), but will be limited to TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD, and HD XL boxes.

Kumar recommends TiVo

2008-10-16T00:38:00.003-05:00

I just saw the movie: Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

The movie is pretty lame, and I'm not here to review it.

There was a mention of TiVo in a scene on the boat ride from Cuba to Miami, and Kumar says to the Cubans, "I'm telling you, Jorge, the first thing you have to do when you get to America, buy a device called TiVo, Okay? Freedom means nothing if you're a slave to regular programing. I promise you that."

TiVo ad in "The Wild"

2008-10-04T10:24:00.001-05:00

TiVo ad in "The Wild"
Originally uploaded by webdh

This is a scene from the Disney movie "The Wild", where the animals just entered Times Square in New York City. At the top of the lighted ad signs is a bouncing TiVo mascot character ad. I wonder if TiVo had to pay for this ad placement in the movie?

TiVo coming soon on your Blackberry

2008-09-12T14:59:00.004-05:00

TiVo and Blackberry announced a deal on Sept 11th. It sounds pretty similar to how they collaborated with Verizon back in March 2007.

The initial launch will enable TiVo subscribers who have a BlackBerry to call up television programming details on the phones and to use the phones to set their DVRs to record shows.

Amazon Unbox NFL content on TiVo

2008-08-22T09:01:00.002-05:00

Catch your favorite NFL team's "Road to 2008" show on your TiVo via Amazon Unbox. Looks like most teams have a show, and this week the download is FREE. Go Vikes!

TiVo - Amazon partnership discussed on Cranky Geeks

2008-07-24T00:13:00.002-05:00

I just watched the latest Episode 126, and this week the Cranky Geeks spent a few minutes discussing the new partnership with TiVo and Amazon. Unfortunately, I can't link directly to the spot in the show, but it starts coming out of an ad break, 15 minutes into the show. Cranky Geeks is a weekly techie videocast on the net and available on TiVo as a Season Pass or individual episode.

Dish "Divver" is Better than TiVo

2008-07-15T21:26:00.002-05:00

This is a pretty funny Dish commercial featuring Frank Caliendo doing his George Bush impersonation. He calls the DVR a "Divver" and how it does "recordification". But the biggest laugh is when they flash "Better than TiVo" on the screen. Ha ha ha, good one, Dish.

TiVo ad running on Yahoo mail

2008-06-21T23:34:00.001-05:00

TiVo ad running on Yahoo mail
Originally uploaded by webdh

I had a new TiVo ad (Adobe Flash) come up while reading some email in my Yahoo account. It resembles Godzilla with planes flying around the TiVo mascot at the top of a building. Clicking the ad brings you to a page promoting the Amazon Unbox movie download feature.
http://www.tivo.com/promo/entertainment.html?tab=movies

Final TiVo Rewards Statement Email

2008-05-12T12:33:00.001-05:00

Final TiVo Rewards Statement
Originally uploaded by webdh

TiVo is sending out the last monthly rewards statement emails. You must redeem any outstanding points by May 28th, or loose them forever. RIP rewards program.

Two interesting TiVo photos

2008-04-25T14:42:00.003-05:00

People never cease to amaze on what lengths they'll go to show their love for TiVo. Here are two recent pictures I found on Flickr.

Here's a California license plate saying "WE HEART TIVO".

Here's the logo carved into a pumpkin back on Halloween of 2005.

TiVo Blue Moon Birthday Special

2008-03-31T22:33:00.001-05:00

tivo_bluemoon
Originally uploaded by webdh

I received this email promo about the "Blue Moon Birthday" special. They are simply rehashing the same offer that's been available already this year. Here's what's included: TiVo® HD DVR, Product Lifetime Service , TiVo® Wireless Adapter, and free shipping. All this for $698.99.

Learn more at: www.tivo.com/promo/bluemoon.html

All-New 2009 Toyota Corolla - TiVo gift card limit reached

2008-03-26T14:57:00.001-05:00

All-New 2009 Toyota Corolla - TiVo gift card limit reached
Originally uploaded by webdh

I thought I was in time to get one of the $5 gift card promos from Toyota, but apparently not. I just got this email in my inbox, saying they ran out of the gift cards. I'll try again tomorrow on 3/27 when they are saying that 5000 more cards will be given away. Here is the email:

Thank You for Watching the 2009 Toyota Corolla TiVo® Showcase! Unfortunately supplies for the $5 Amazon.com® gift card* have run out for this week. But don't give up yet! Check back with the 2009 Toyota Corolla TiVo® Showcase on March 27 when additional Amazon.com® gift cards will be emailed to the first 5,000 viewers who respond to the offer. Don't forget, Broadband users can use the gift card to rent or purchase an Amazon Unbox movie download.

For details about Amazon.com digital downloads, please visit:
www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=3757
This message was sent to you because you or someone in your household requested to receive this special offer from Toyota Corolla through the TiVo® Showcase Menu authorizing TiVo® to send you an email.

Toyota giving away $5 free Amazon.com gift card

2008-03-23T23:59:00.003-05:00

Check out your TiVo Central home screen at the bottom for the new 2009 Toyota Corolla special. There is an offer for a free $5 gift card to Amazon.com, no strings attached. The offer is good while supplies last and will be emailed within 2 weeks. Mine is on the way, thanks Toyota!

Tivo Easter Eggs

2008-03-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

Tivo Easter Eggs
Originally uploaded by webdh

We dyed some eggs for Easter, and tried our hand at making a few with the TiVo character. You use the clear crayon provided, and like magic the dye doesn't stick to where you draw. Happy Easter TiVo!

YouTube videos coming to TiVo

2008-03-13T10:57:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, TiVo announced the ability to watch YouTube videos. The service will be available later this year to broadband-connected subscribers with TiVo Series3™ DVRs, including the new TiVo HD. This is great news for owners of the supported platforms, but not so if you are still a Series 2 owner. This could be a huge factor to make Series 2 owners upgrade to a new model.

Nightmare TiVo setup

2008-03-13T10:40:00.003-05:00

A recent MSNBC article describes one woman's failed attempt to setup her new TiVo. She struggled for 5 hours with the instructions and online video setup guides before throwing in the towel and giving up. The next day she had the cable company out to complete the setup, and still ran into problems with the final service activation step using the phone line. So she went out and bought the TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter for $65 at BestBuy and that worked. She admits that she's not very comfortable with TV electronics setup, so maybe she should have hired the Geek Squad from square one and avoided this bad experience altogether. What other local services besides the Geek Squad and cable company will make house calls for a TiVo setup at a reasonable cost?

Tivo Flame Remote

2008-03-10T12:57:00.001-05:00

My New Tivo Remote
Originally uploaded by SDTattGuy

This guy cashed in some rewards points for this cool "flame" remote. Too bad that TiVo announced the discontinuation of such a great referral program at the end of February. Hopfully they will start a new program so customers can continue to get cool stuff like this!

Tivo Grooms cake

2008-03-02T21:58:00.001-06:00

Tivo Grooms cake
Originally uploaded by sarah_herr

I'm not sure the story behind this cake, apparently for a groom's dinner. But nonetheless, looks tasty! This isn't the first time I've spotted a TiVo cake for a wedding, here was another I found last year.

TiVo rewards program ending :(

2008-02-28T10:07:00.001-06:00

TiVo rewards program ending :(
Originally uploaded by webdh

The rumor is true. I got this email from TiVo today, discussing the unfortunate fate of the rewards referral program.

Redeem Your TiVo Points by May 28, 2008

Dear TiVo customer,

We are writing to let you know the TiVo Rewards program is ending and you have until May 28, 2008 to redeem any unused TiVo Points.

You may continue to earn TiVo Points for qualifying referrals through April 28, 2008. If you are a current TiVo credit card holder, your last day to earn TiVo Points through the TiVo credit card will be the closing date of your April 2008 credit card billing statement.

The last day to sign in to www.tivo.com/rewards and redeem your TiVo Points for rewards will be May 28, 2008. Any points not redeemed by this date will expire and the TiVo Rewards program will terminate. If you would like to learn more about program changes, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for participating in the TiVo Rewards program.

The TiVo Team

Noobie Inc. blogging about TiVo

2008-02-26T10:43:00.002-06:00

I found a great blog today titled: what's noo? This is a 1.5 year old blog geared towards new technology adoption, and tries to explain stuff in simple terms. He has some excellent TiVo posts, and they can all be found at this link which searches the blog on the "tivo" term.

Who is this "noobie" guy? Well, it appears he has made a business out of being a "Technology Coach". Here is what's explained on his website www.noobieinc.com
Are you juggling so many remote controls that now you aren't even sure which button turns your television on? Meet with a Noobie coach for a 1-on-1 training session to learn the tips and tricks that make confusing products much simpler to use.

Shameless plug: if you activate a new Tivo, please use my email address so I can get the referral points. Simply use [tpullis at yahoo dot com]. If you have already activated, please contact me with your 15 digit service number so I can get the referral. Much appreciated!